Whale who inspired ‘Baby Beluga’ children’s song dies

The little white whale who inspired Raffi Cavoukian to write the beloved children’s song “Baby Beluga” died last week.

The 46-year-old whale named Kavna who is thought to be the oldest Beluga in captivity passed away last Monday at the Vancouver Aquarium. The whale’s health started to decline a few weeks ago, according to the British Daily Mail, and Kavna developed cancerous lesions that didn’t respond to treatment.

“A beautiful whale, a magnificent creature,” Cavoukian told Radio News 1130. “She had a profound impact on me when I met her in 1979. The folks at the [Vancouver] Aquarium brought me to poolside and the trainer helped me to play with Kavna. Kavna even came out of the water and placed a gentle, graceful kiss on my cheek and I couldn’t stop talking about it for a couple of weeks!”

Afternews broke about Kavna’s death, Raffi tweeted:

My thoughts have been with Kavna all day. Thanks #belugagrads for your continued support.

Raffi also used Twitter to clarify that his song was inspired by Kavna but not specifically about the whale in captivity. Raffi’s song was about an imaginary whale who swims wild and free.

Baby beluga in the deep blue sea,
Swim so wild and you swim so free.
Heaven above and the sea below,
And a little white whale on the go.